IF your holiday home website needs a bit of a makeover then there are some very simple steps you can take to make sure it sparkles.
Even if you entrust the updating of your site to someone else just make sure that they follow these rules so you get more ‘bang for your buck’.
The main function of your site should be to create a welcoming feel, build a sense of trust and make it easy to book your place for a holiday.
Here are my top tips:
Regularly update content
If you ran a shop you wouldn’t just leave the windows bare, not bring in any new stock or give it a fresh lick of paint now and then, would you? Write about what’s on in the area, places to visit and your own experiences of life in France.
Stay clear of fancy graphics
Large graphics and photographs are a real no-no on the web as they take a long time to download, don’t really add anything that simple words cannot achieve and are useless for search engines.
A page featuring you
How easy is it for you to hand over your hard-earned cash to a faceless individual? Then why do you expect your site visitors to do the same? Having a simple page describing yourself, with a good photograph, will build a valuable sense of trust.
Make use of email signatures
If you send out email message, which I’m sure you do, include a line after the end of your sign-off with your website address and a short catchline about your home. People can’t resist clicking on it.
Don’t rely on technical wizardry
Just because you can do it, doesn’t mean you should. A real turn off for web users is to arrive at a site only to be greeted by jangling music blaring from their speakers. The same can be said for flashy, mini movies that start up on arrival at the site. Most people will be gone.
Not getting the basics right
Check and double-check spellings, grammar and the facts about places and locations. Make sure your site doesn’t have any broken links, any forms you have are easy to understand and that images load correctly.
These are all very simple steps that you can do yourself or can ask of your website designer, they are the basics so they shouldn’t be charging any more for it!